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enWill MLSs biggest season yet even start on time?With its latest batch of stars ready to go (well, almost all of them),Kristan Heneageexplains why Fridays big kick-off might well be a non-event...Kristan Heneagehttp://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/will-mlss-biggest-season-yet-even-start-time
The return of Major League Soccer is almost upon us... or at least it should be.
On the cusp of its 20th season a clutch of big names, including Kaka and Sebastian Giovinco, have arrived ahead of a exciting next chapter in American soccer history. But there is tension in the air.
The nervousness surrounding the league, however, is not about whether these new faces will perform, but whether they will see pitch time at all.
Talks over the Collective Bargaining Agreement between the MLS Players Union and the League itself appear deadlocked over the players' demand for free agency.
FIFPro have lent their support to the Players Union, but there's no doubt that they face an uphill struggle to see their demands met. "The principle of free agency is one we support wholeheartedly," said FIFPro spokesman Andrew Orsatti. "We stand by our colleagues in the United States who are presently locked in this battle, which we want to see end favourably for the players of course, but also in a manner which guarantees a fair and reasonable balance between all parties."
Strike out
Unlike any other in the world, MLS is a single entity league. Consequently, that means they control players' contracts and often orchestrate their transfers.
Players are sent to clubs without having to agree to the move. Take Ambroise Oyongo, for example. The defender was with New York Red Bulls and claimed he turned down suitors in Europe in order to stay in the Big Apple after being given assurances of his future.
Weeks later he was sent to Canadian side Montreal Impact along with Eric Alexander and other incentives in exchange for Felipe Martins, an international player spot and allocation money.
This single entity nature stops clubs within MLS competing with each other for talent, but also stifles the salaries of players at the bottom. Perhaps understandaby, advocates of the structure view it as a way to stop overspending – a significant factor behind the North American Soccer League's foldingin 1985.
It's not the first time strike action has been proposed; the current situation seems similar to that of 2010. Under the previous rules, clubs could exercise a 48-hour first right of refusal on players whose contracts had expired or didn’t have their options picked up. To satisfy those complaints, MLS set up the Re-Entry Draft in 2010, in which teams select out-of-contract players. The new system provided internal movement for veteran players.
However, the process has been subject to criticism, with the topic of free agency resurfacing again during the off-season. The argument of player salaries has also been a point of discussion thanks to the significant increase in earnings for those at the very top. Chicago Fire midfielder Harry Shipp, currently earning $95,000 per season, voiced his displeasure at the financial disparity when he tweeted: “I wonder if Giovinco knows that he will literally make more money in two days than some of his team-mates will the entire year @MLS.”
I wonder if Giovinco knows that he will literally make more money in 2 days than some of his teammates will the entire year @MLS
— Harry Shipp (@championShipp11) January 20, 2015
It was a valid argument in ways, and has set the two parties on a collision course. With some stars in the league, including Giovinco, earning 200 times that of their team-mates, it has led to a gulf of wealth within the league. Members of the Players Union, now ready to strike, have revealed they have been preparing for this moment for almost two years.
Money talks
With the season scheduled to begin on Friday, strike action now seems likely. The Union is understood to have financial reserves in order to combat any lockout, although a long-term strike would be difficult for some players to take, and has even led to claims that they could seek offers from NASL or in Mexico.
On the surface it sounds like an issue of footballers simply wanting more money, but the situation many players find themselves in is difficult. At the lowest end, players earn between $35,000 and $40,000 per year, taking up second and sometimes third jobs in order to play the game.
Players like Joe Nasco, who was interviewed for the March edition of FourFourTwo, even took spare food from the training complex to make ends meet.
The figures do, however, represent a significant improvement from a decade ago, when some players earned as little as $13-14,000 per year. The rationale for such meagre contracts was that the league lacked the finances to offer more; that these players were apprentices and should they contribute more to their team, they could increase their salary.
Some, like United States and Sporting KC duo Graham Zusi and Matt Besler, have achieved that success, but there is a limit to the number of Designated Player contracts on offer. The percentage of young players in the U.S. making it in professional soccer is already low, and those numbers decrease further when it comes to those making a solid living from it.
Capital crunch
Player representatives, including Shipp, are currently engaged in discussions in Washington D.C., where they have been joined by owners of the clubs for the first time in an attempt to avert strike action.
Speaking about the talks, D.C. United defender Bobby Boswell revealed that concessions had been made. “Our question now is, are they going to make any back toward us?” he told the Washington Post. “The jury is still out on that one.”
From the owners' perspective, public discussion has been minimal at best. Real Salt Lake’s owner Dell Loy Hansen broke the silence when he said during a radio interview: "[Free agency] is not going to change. That’s a go-nowhere conversation. The players have tried it twice, and it’s been defeated by the courts.
"It’s just a foolish place to waste time. It can’t exist where everyone is employed by the same employer."
His comments earned him a whopping fine of around $150,000, according to reports, with Commissioner Don Garber explaining: "The comments made by Mr. Hansen are not permitted under the League’s constitution. We are engaged in constructive negotiations with our players and such comments are not appropriate, nor helpful to the negotiations."
The coming days will show how true Garber’s evaluation is. Those closest to the league are far from optimistic that Friday’s game between LA Galaxy and Chicago Firewill go ahead.
And while that could harm the momentum of MLS in the short term, the implementation of free agency could be far more important in pushing the sport forward.
featureTue, 03 Mar 2015 18:30:00 +0000Joe Brewin354461 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comKaka named inaugural Orlando captainKaka will captain Orlando City during their inaugural MLS campaign, the expansion franchise confirmed on Tuesday.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/kaka-named-orlando-captain-inaugural-mls-season
The Florida outfit kick off their first season against fellow newcomersNew York City on March 8, with Bryan Rochez joining former Brazil internationalKaka as one of two designated players at the Citrus Bowl.
And the former Milan and Real Madrid attacker has now been confirmed as skipper, with head coach Adrian Heath highlighting his influence both on and off the pitch.
"Kaka has demonstrated great leadership both on the field and in the locker room since the start, and the other players have naturally looked to his guidance throughout pre-season, so he was the natural pick to skipper the club," he said.
"Ricky's role will extend off the pitch as well, serving as the team's liaison with the front office and coaching staff on all player-related concerns to ensure we provide the best possible environment for the players to train, develop and succeed personally and professionally."
news_articleTue, 24 Feb 2015 15:31:22 +0000350063 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comGerrard wont take Galaxy pens from KeaneLA Galaxy coach Bruce Arena has warned Steven Gerrard not to expect to take penalty duties away from Robbie Keane when he arrives in Major League Soccer.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/gerrard-wont-take-galaxy-penalties-keane
Liverpool captain Gerrard was critical of Mario Balotelli for stepping in front of Jordan Henderson to take a late penalty in Thursday's UEFA Europa League tie with Besiktas.
Balotelli scored to settle the game 1-0, but Gerrard labelled the striker "mischievous" and "disrespectful" for going against pre-match instructions.
However, Gerrard will have to muscle in on former Liverpool colleague and Galaxy captainKeane if he wishes to assume spot-kick duties.
When asked if Keane could relinquish his role, Arena answered: "He's taking them until he misses his next one. He's our captain and our penalty taker...until he tells me otherwise."
Gerrard will head to Los Angeles in July after his 17-year stint with his hometown club comes to an end, and Arena conceded surprise at the midfielder's excitement to join Galaxy, having met him this week.
"I saw him yesterday and I was surprised to see how excited Steven is to come to Los Angeles," Arena said.
"Obviously, he knows that he has a huge obligation to fulfill with Liverpool and to close out his career there in the right manner.
"They are involved in some cup competitions, and then he will be very eager to get to Los Angeles."
news_articleFri, 20 Feb 2015 22:39:34 +0000347827 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comGerrard will not captain Galaxy, says KeaneLiverpool skipper Steven Gerrard will not captain the LA Galaxy when he completes his lucrative move to the United States in July, according to MLS MVP Robbie Keane.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/gerrard-will-not-captain-galaxy-keane
Gerrard will link up with Galaxy once his Liverpool contract expires at the end of the 2014-15 Premier League after signing an 18-month deal with the MLS champions in January.
The 34-year-old former England international - a Designated Player - is expected to play a key role for Bruce Arena's men but that will not involve wearing the captain's armband.
Republic of Ireland international Keane has no intention of relinquishing the captaincy, having led the team since 2013.
"He is arriving as an addition, not as a replacement as captain," Keane told reporters in Dublin.
"I have spoken to Steven and he is excited about the challenge of coming to LA Galaxy. He is going to be a great addition to our squad."
Galaxy kick-off their championship defence against Chicago Fire at Stubhub Center in Carson on March 6.
news_articleThu, 19 Feb 2015 06:19:17 +0000346679 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comGalaxy head coach Arena to meet with GerrardBruce Arena will meet Steven Gerrard for the first time during LA Galaxys pre-season tour of Europe next week.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/arena-meet-gerrard
Liverpool captain Gerrard signed a pre-contract agreement with the Galaxy last month, and will move to Los Angeles upon the expiry of his deal with the Premier League club at the end of the season.
The Galaxy are currently in Europe as they ramp up their preparations for the new MLS campaign with friendlies against Swedish side Hammarby and Shamrock Rovers of Ireland this week.
And head coach Arena has confirmed that he will take the opportunity to sit down with Gerrard when he visits Liverpool to watch their UEFA Europa League clash with Besiktas on Thursday.
"Yes, I will meet with him," Arena told the Galaxy's official website.
"We'll just have an opportunity to talk about our club and expectations - those types of things."
news_articleSun, 15 Feb 2015 11:38:26 +0000344241 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comVermes, Besler question Klinsmanns unfit claimsSporting Kansas Citys Peter Vermes has rubbished United States coach Jurgen Klinsmanns claim that his team were unfit during a recent training camp.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/vermes-besler-question-klinsmanns-unfit-claims
Klinsmann questioned his players' work ethic earlier this month during their annual pre-MLS season training camp, which included friendlies against Chile and Panama, claiming they were not fit enough to run out games.
Sporting defender Matt Besler did not criticise Klinsmann on Friday but did insist he was comfortable with his fitness three weeks before the 2015 MLS season.
Vermes - Besler's coach at Sporting - was much more critical.
"To expect those guys to be in top form in a January camp is -and I mean this -utterly ridiculous," Vermes said at a media conference on Friday.
Klinsmann had argued his players should have used part of their time off - the regular season of the MLS finished at the end of October, while the play-offs were completed in early December - to improve their fitness before the USA's training camp.
"Totally disagree with the comment," Vermes said.
"You know, I have a lot of respect for Jurgen. Obviously, he was a great player. He's done tremendous things as a coach as well.
"But that doesn't mean every time somebody opens their mouth that they're right."
It is not the first time Klinsmann's take on the MLS has sparked controversy with the German having questioned Clint Dempsey and Michael Bradley's decisions to return home from the Premier League and Serie A, respectively, in 2014, which prompted a tongue-lashing from league boss Don Garber.
According to Vermes, Klinsmann has yet to grasp the unique nature of football in the USA compared with the European leagues.
"[My argument] comes from taking in how big our country is, and our league, and the amount of travel that goes with it, and the environment that we play in," Sporting's boss said.
"If you're a European player, you're playing through all the colder weather months, as opposed to the hot-weather months, like we do here. That takes a toll."
Besler claimed Klinsmann's claim may have been based on skewed data with the USA's collective fitness being compared with how they were tracking just before the 2014 World Cup.
The 28-year-old defender made it clear he was not worried about Klinsmann's comments.
"He [Klinsmann] can say whatever he wants. But from my perspective, my goal is to be at my peak fitness on March 1," Besler said.
"That's when my season starts. It goes from March to December. So on January 15, we devised an off-season plan for me to hit my peak fitness on March 1. I think that's what most of the guys did.
"So if the expectation was different, that's something that needs to be discussed, so we know going into a camp where we need to be. But honestly, I think he just likes to push his players."
news_articleSat, 14 Feb 2015 02:04:52 +0000343450 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comVanney pleased with special GiovincoToronto coach Greg Vanney hailed high-profile recruit Sebastian Giovinco, who participated in his first training session.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/vanney-pleased-special-giovinco
Giovinco took part in training for the first time since joining Toronto from Serie A champions Juventus on a five-year deal reportedly worth $7 million per season.
And the agile 28-year-old left a lasting impression on Vanney following Wednesday's session.
"I'm very pleased," Vanney told reporters. "It's what I had seen of him when we were doing all our scouting.
"He's very quick and nifty in the pockets, in those little tight spaces. He gets himself facing forward and he's shifty. He can unbalance defenders and create little fractions of time in areas where a lot of guys can't.
"His vision around the field to bring other people into the game is special."
Giovinco, who has earned 21 caps for the Italian national team since 2011, said: "It's been a very good day. My impressions of the team are good and the training session was difficult.
"Soccer in Canada is growing, as well as the infrastructure. In Italy there are big clubs with facilities that are a little bit better, but I love the grounds here. Everything you need is here."
news_articleThu, 12 Feb 2015 03:22:02 +0000342192 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comBradley altered contract to accommodate AltidoreNewly appointed Toronto captain Michael Bradley revealed on Tuesday that he altered his contract to accommodate the arrival of United States international team-mate Jozy Altidore.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/bradley-altered-contract-accommodate-altidore
Altidore sealed a return to his homeland last month, when he swapped Sunderland in the Premier for MLS outfit Toronto in a deal that saw Jermain Defoe move in the opposite direction.
Toronto are reported to have splashed out around $30 million over five years to get Altidore as a designated player.
And speaking upon his unveiling as Toronto skipper, fellow designated player Bradley said he made the decision to restructure his contract in order to ensure Altidore's move to Canada was possible.
"At the end of the day, for me, it was all about making sure that Jozy is here with us," Bradley told reporters.
"It got to the point towards the end that I felt like it was the only way it was going to get done for sure. I have not thought about it a second since.
"The important thing for me is that we got a very, very good player who is excited to be here as a part of what we're doing; that's all I really care about."
news_articleWed, 11 Feb 2015 05:19:08 +0000341576 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comVilla backs Lampards Manchester stayNew York City star David Villa is unfazed by Frank Lampard remaining on loan at Manchester City, but admits in an ideal world the Englishman would be with the MLS outfit.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/villa-backs-lampards-manchester-stay
Villa was on the scoresheet as City claimed a 2-0 friendly win over St Mirren in their first ever competitive game on Tuesday.
Manchester City's Academy Stadium hosted the clash, but Lampard – the MLS team's other marquee signing – was in Stoke preparing for a Premier League clash.
Villa said it was best for the City Football Group to have the former England international helping Manuel Pellegrini's men challenge for the title.
"It would have been great if he was here now, but obviously for the football club the best thing is for him to stay in Manchester," the Spaniard said.
"We are only going to be focused to work hard so that when he joins in July, we can be a team that is really good and he can only improve us."
New York City coach Jason Kreis believes the club's fans will eventually move on from the Lampard saga.
But he is eager to see a broader focus on his team, not just their two star signings.
"I think at the end of it all when everybody is calmed down and settled down a little bit that everybody can forgive and forget," Kreis said.
"It's my dream really that at some point very quickly the fans of NYC aren't talking about the individual players, I'm hopeful they understand that this is about a team, it isn't about David Villa or Frank Lampard or Jason Kreis.
"This is about a squad and a club and what we can do for the community."
news_articleWed, 11 Feb 2015 01:56:53 +0000341470 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comVilla scores as New York City kick off with winOver 3,000 miles from home, 864 days since they were founded and after one of Major League Soccers most controversial transfers, New York City finally kicked into action with a win.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/villa-scores-new-york-city-kick-win
New York will call the world-famous Yankee Stadium their home in MLS next season, but began life at the City Football Academy, in the shadow of sister club Manchester City's Etihad Stadium.
A healthy crowd turned out to witness the franchise's on-pitch birth, including an occasionally boisterous bunch who had travelled from north of the border to cheer on St Mirren, while over 3,000 tuned in via New York's YouTube account.
David Villa will captain the side this season and Spain's record goalscorer secured his place in the history books by scoring his new side's first goal during a 45-minute cameo before his half-time replacement, Tony Taylor, grabbed New York's second as a team made up largely of replacements were equally impressive.
Jason Kreis - shorn of another star signing Frank Lampard after he opted to prolong his Premier League sojourn with New York's big sister - will have been relieved to finally turn his attentions to game time, admitting after the match his squad had had "maximum 15 training sessions" as a group.
An MLS Cup winner from his time with Real Salt Lake, Kreis outlined his attention to bring attractive football in an attempt to spark a new sporting giant in the home city of theKnicks and Yankees, a plan which appeared to be bearing fruit in an impressive display.
After going close twice early on, it was little surprise to see Villa score New York's maiden goal just after the half-hour – the World Cup winner finishing calmly after left-back Chris Wingert's fizzing cross was not dealt with.
A raft of substitutions at the interval and into the second period did little to stem New York's dominance built on possession, but a more direct approach led to their second as a long hook upfield released Taylor and the number 99 powered his finish home.
Having tasted success at the first time of asking, New York continue their preparations with another fixture against Danish side Brondby on Sunday before they head back Stateside to prepare for their MLS bow against fellow league newboys, Kaka's Orlando City on March 8.
news_articleTue, 10 Feb 2015 21:49:18 +0000341293 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comBeckham frustrated by delays to Miami plansAs plans to create a Miami-based MLS franchise hit snags, former England captain David Beckham has been mildly frustrated by the delay, but expects an announcement in the near future.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/beckham-frustrated-miami-delays
Beckham confirmed in October 2013 that he was intending to set up an outfit in Miami, although he suffereda blow last year when plans for a 25,000-capacity stadium in the citywere rejected.
"Miami obviously doesn't have a stadium at the moment and we've continued to work hard on that," Beckham said.
"We're making good progress, at some point in the next couple of months there'll be an announcement.
"It's hard work, but nothing in life is easy so we're focusing on that and we'll announce when we're ready.
"Delays are always frustrating, but to get something right there are delays. We will get it right and it will happen, but it's taking a little bit longer than we thought but it will happen."
news_articleMon, 09 Feb 2015 19:35:22 +0000340673 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comGiovinco: No one believed in me back home in ItalyToronto FC striker Sebastian Giovinco appeared to hit out at the Italian media, and current and former coaches Antonio Conte, Massimiliano Allegri and Cesare Prandelli on Friday.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/giovinco-no-one-believed-me-italy
Speaking at his first media conference since arriving in Canada, Giovinco claimed he had left Italy and his former club Juventus because he was tired of having his ability questioned.
The 28-year-old's decision to leave the Serie A champions for the MLS caused a lot of consternation in Italy, with many claiming Giovinco will never play for his homeland again, but the tiny attacker indicated he will not miss his Italian critics.
"In Italy I had many problems. They always talked about me as a player who could not play at a very high level, but I always demonstrated with facts that that was not correct," Giovinco said.
"I wanted to find a city, a team that from the beginning welcomed me, as this team has done.
"Therefore, my choice was the right choice."
While his comments could be interpreted as criticising the Italian media, it also appeared to be a swipe against former Juventus boss Conte, who has now taken over from Prandelli as Italy's head coach, as well as Allegri, who has taken charge at the defending champions this season, for not giving Giovinco enough playing time.
Giovinco played 31 games and scored seven goals in the 2012-13 Serie A campaign when Juventus won their first of three consecutive league titles.
But last season he made just 17 appearances in Serie A, including only six starts, to notch two goals, while this term his opportunities dwindled further, with seven games, two starts and zero goals in the Italian top flight.
In 2012, Giovinco played eight matches for Italy but his lack of game time for Juventus saw him play just three and four games in 2013 and 2014, respectively.
Giovinco is looking forward to a new experience in the MLS and helping Toronto win their maiden championship.
"On the field, I want to win with this jersey because I want to be part of the history of this organisation and this team," he said.
When asked what his former Juventus team-mates had said about his move to Canada, Giovinco replied with a smile: "The truth is that they all wanted to come and join us."
news_articleSat, 07 Feb 2015 02:05:37 +0000338901 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comMLS chief Garber backs Orlando City for successMLS commissioner Don Garber backed Orlando City to meet their expectations of becoming one of the top expansion teams in professional sport.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/garber-backs-orlando-city
Just over a month out from their first ever competitive game, the club launched a bid to fill their 60,000-capacity Citrus Bowl hope when they face New York City.
Garber said Orlando City were already competing above expectations, and he is confident that will continue.
"This is a club that is punching well above its weight," he said on Thursday.
"I know they will tell you that their expectations are to be one of the top expansion teams in the history of pro sports.
"That is a pretty high bar and we have confidence that they should be able to achieve it."
Star signing Kaka hopes the club's fans can fill their stadium for the March 8 meeting with New York City.
"I would like to thank everyone here who has given me the opportunity to play here, to be part of this project for the MLS," the former Milan and Real Madrid star said.
"For Orlando, I am very excited to be part of this."
news_articleFri, 06 Feb 2015 06:39:30 +0000338372 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comClint Deuce Dempsey: When I used to rap, my brother would say Damn, shut up man!Jack Hummelchats to the United States skipper about his not-so-secret vice behind a microphone...Jack Hummelhttp://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/clint-deuce-dempsey-when-i-used-rap-my-brother-would-say-damn-shut-man
By now we're sure you're well aware of the former Fulham and Tottenham star's penchant for spitting bars, but now some pesky Statesiders are trying to spark 'beef' between 'Deuce' and American rapper Lupe Fiasco.
Well, sort of. Before the World Cup, Chicago-born star Fiasco – 'music director' of the USMNT for Brazil, which is apparently a thing–appeared on television promising Dempsey some lines on his new albumTetsuo Youth.
Yet when the album dropped last month, the Seattle Sounders man's dulcet toneswere nowhere to be found (Ed Sheeran, though? Straight in). An outrage!
Skip to 6:04 for Lupe Fiasco's broken promises...
And just look at what Grammy Award-winning Fiasco could have won. A week ago, Dempsey appeared on America's Pregame to strut his stuff.
Looks like @LupeFiasco should've asked @clint_dempsey to rap a few bars on his album. #SignHimNow! #USMNT https://t.co/5vynengrPq
— America's Pregame (@AmericasPregame) January 27, 2015
Back in November 2014,FourFourTwo chatted to Deuce about his experiences in 'the game' (the rap one, of course)...
"You know, when I was growing up the first car I had didn’t have a radio in it," he said. "So I would freestyle whenever I would drive, and my younger brother used to always tell me 'damn, shut up man!' But we didn’t have anything to listen to.
"I grew up listening to Houston rap; my friends and I would freestyle over beats. When I went to college I was the new kid, and they rapped –that was part of your initiation. And when I went to MLS, and I was the new kid, they knew I rapped and so that’s what I did.
"That actually allowed me to do one track with Big Hawk for Nike called Don’t Tread before the 2006 World Cup. About three or four months after we did that, he was killed (shot to death in 2006 by an unknown attacker). So that kind of put me off rap a little bit.
"When I went to England, they were talking about it: 'Hey, you’re a part time rapper blah blah' and I was like, 'Nah, I play soccer, I only wanna focus on my soccer.'
"When I came back to the States, the opportunity came up before the 2014 World Cup and I wasn’t sure. But then when I was hurt, in my down time, I just worked on it for fun and it actually became an album.
"I wasn’t really thinking anything of it, it was just for fun, and the proceeds are going towards East Texas Food Banks.
"For me it just to get away during that time when I was hurt in the off-season, just to put my mind on something else. I was frustrated with the fact that my body was breaking down and I was injured, so it was an outlet."
featureWed, 04 Feb 2015 15:00:00 +0000Joe Brewin337242 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comCahill rejected late Moyes, Sociedad offerTim Cahill revealed there was a late offer from David Moyes club Real Sociedad before he decided to join Chinese Super League club Shanghai Shenhua.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/cahill-rejected-moyes-sociedad
Just days after helping Australia lift the Asian Cup, Cahill announced on Tuesday in Sydney he was heading to China after parting ways with MLS club New York Red Bulls.
Australia's leading goalscorer had offers from all over the world including England, Spain, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and China.
But after speaking to some influential people over the last 24 hours, he decided Shanghai was the best place for the next stage of his illustrious career.
"I've been on the phone to [former Everton manager and Real Sociedad boss] David Moyes, I spoke with [former Arsenal and New York striker] Thierry Henry and also the chairman Bill Kenright at Everton and [Australia coach] Ange [Postecoglou] this morning," Cahill said on Fox Sports.
"I've made the decision purely because I've played in the Premier League and did really well and it was a massive compliment to get the phone calls I did last night and to speak to Moyes about possibly going to La Liga.
"I've done the Premier League, I've done America. New York was amazing for me...[but] China is a growing market in football.
"You see in the [Asian Cup quarter-final] that we played against China, millions of people watched it and I'm someone who is embracing culture and a different aspect of life.
"I'm at an age where I want to give something back to football and still play at a high level...it's all about doing what I want to do as footballer and trying different leagues and I think it's exciting.
"To still be in demand and have the offers I've had is special but this will be massive for me as a player on and off the park."
Cahill said he had talks with Sydney FC officials after last year's World Cup"but as far as offers, there was nothing".
"I can openly say that [Sydney FC CEO] Tony Pignata is a gentleman, he did reach out after the World Cup but realistic offers there were none," the 35-year-old said.
"I'm an ambassador for Australia and I want to make sure the kids know I'm following my dreams.
"To know I could have gone back to the Premier League, La Liga and things like that…everyone talks about money and things like that but I'm at a different stage of my career."
Having played at three World Cups and helping Australia win their first major piece of silverware at the Asian Cup, there are some suggestions Cahill may opt bow out of international football on a high.
Cahill has previously claimed he could keep representing his country until the 2018 World Cup but when asked about his international future on Tuesday, he appeared to hint at a reduced role for Australia's national team.
"My plans will be to support the boss [Postecoglou]," Cahill said.
"My vision for the last 14 months was to be a team player. It's never been about me.
"The boss knows my plans for the national team. I'm always there for him on and off the park. I'll always leave that decision to him, someone who has changed the footprint of football in Australia."
Cahill was adamant his decision to head to China was not a financial one but more about helping to grow the game in that highly developing market.
"I've never, ever chased the money. If I did I would have been in Qatar or China four years ago," he said.
"I'll make an impact in China, I promise you, on the pitch.
"China is a growing market in football. I'm somebody that embraces culture and different aspects of life. I asked for grass roots. I asked for a project. I asked for a vision.
"I sat with my two boys and I told them about China...the cultural differences, where we're going to be living. They're excited."
news_articleTue, 03 Feb 2015 00:51:27 +0000336347 at http://www.fourfourtwo.com